Railway traffic governing apparatus



July 6, 1937. c. w. BELL RAILWAY TRAFFIC GOVERNING APPARATUS s Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 19', 1934 INVENTOR .C'harles WBell EM 6 BY QR'J H18 ATTORNEY- July 6, 1937.

c. BELL 1 RAILWAY TRAFFIC GOVERNING APPARATUS s Sheets-Shet 2 Filed July 19, 1934:

INVENTOR C'harles W Bell BY Q24 HIS ATTORNEY July 6, 1937.

c. w. BELL RAILWAY TRAFFIC GOVERNING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 19, 1954 H15 ATTORNEQY Patented July 6, 1937 PATENT OFFlCE RAILWAY TRAFFIC GOVERNING APPARATUS Charles W. Bell, Wilkinsburg, Pa., assignor to The Union Switch & Signal Company, Swissv'ale, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application July 19, 1934, Serial No. 736,037

17 Claims.

My invention relates to railway traflic governing apparatus, and particularly to apparatus for controlling railway traflic governing devices, such for example as railway switches.

I will describe four forms of apparatus embodying my invention, and will then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Fig. l is a diagrammatic view showing one form of traffic governing device to which my invention may be applied. Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view showing one form of trafiic governing apparatus embodying my invention and applied to the control of a single railway switch. Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, butshowing one application of my invention to the two switches of a crossover. Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic View showing a modified form of apparatus embodying my invention applied to the control of a single switch. Figs. and 5a are, when taken together, a diagrammatic View showing the application of that form. of my invention shown in Fig. 4 to the control of the two switches of a crossover.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts in each of the views.

Referring first to Fig. 1, the reference character S designates a railway track governing device, which, as here shown, is a railway switch. This switch is operated by a mechanism M, comprising a motion plate D actuated by an electropneumatic switch mechanism A. The mechanism A is controlled by the usual normal, reverse and lock magnets N, R and L, respectively, it being understood that the switch will be moved to the normal or the reverse position according as the normal or the reverse magnet is energized, provided that the lock magnet L is also energized. The operation of the electro-pneumatic device A is well known and will, therefore, not be described in detail. The mechanism M operates a plurality of contacts Q, P, i9, 20, and 2|, which contacts function in the manner hereinafter explained.

Referring now to Fig. 2, the apparatus illustrated herein involves the magnets N, R and L of Fig. 1, together with apparatus embodying my invention for the control of these magnets. The reference character E designates a manually operable lever having the usual NB and RD contacts for the control of the switch magnets N, R and L. Associated with the lever E is a polarized indication relay KB, and associated with the switch is a pole-changer P for the control of the indication relay. Associated with the lever E is a transfer relay TI, and associated with the switch is a similar transfer relay T2. Extending between the switch and the lever are two control wires G and H, as well as a third wire F which may be termed'a transfer wire.

As shown in the drawings, the lever E and the switch mechanism are both in their normal position, and under this condition transfer relays TI and T2 are deenergized. Wires G and H are then connected with the indication relay KR and the pole-changer P, the circuit being from terminal B, through pole-changer arm 22, back contact 1 of relay T2, wire G, back contact 6 of relay Tl, winding of relay KR, back contact 8 of relay Tl, control wire H, back contact 9 of relay T2 and the lower arm 23 of pole-changer P to terminal 0. Indication relay KR is then energized by current of normal polarity. The apparatus controlled by this relay forms no part of my present invention, and is therefore omitted from the drawings in order to simplify the disclosure.

I will now assume that the operator in charge of lever E desires to reverse the switch S. To do this, he will move the lever to the RD position, thereby closing a circuit from terminal C of battery K through common wire (not shown) to the switch location, then through a rectifier I, contact 4--3 of circuit controller Q (whichcontact is closed in all positions of the mechanism M except the reverse position) ,winding of lock magnet L, winding of relay T2, wire F, winding of relay TI, and contact RD to terminal 0 of the battery K. Rectifier l is poled to conduct current flowing in this circuit in the direction just traced, so that relays TI and T2 and lock magnet L will all become energized. The control wires G and H will now be shifted from the indication apparatus to the control apparatus, and reverse magnet R will be energized by a circuit which passes from terminal B, through contact RDI, front contact 8 of relay Tl, wire H, front contact 9 of relay T2, and magnet R to terminal C. The switch will then be moved to its reverse position, and upon reaching this position contact 3-4 will open, thereby deenergizing elements Tl, T2 and L. Relay KR will then be energized by the same circuit as before, except that pole-changer P will be reversed, so that relay KR will be supplied with current of reverse polarity. Lever E will then'be released by virtue of the usual locking apparatus controlled by relay KR, so that this lever may be moved to its full reverse position.

Assuming now that the. operator desires to return the switch S to its normal position, he will move the lever E to the NB position, thereby closing a circuit from terminal B of battery K, through elements TI and T2 and L, contact 3--5 (which is closed in all positions of the mechanism except normal), and rectifier 2 to terminal C of battery K. Rectifier 2 is poled to conduct current flowing in the direction just indicated, so that the elements Tl, T2 and L will all become energized. Normal magnet N will then be energized by a circuit from terminal B through contact NBH, front contact 6, wire G, front contact 7, and magnet N to terminal C. The switch will then be restored to its normal position, relay KR will be energized by current of normal polarity, and the lever E will be rel-eased so it may return to its full normal position.

Referring now to Fig. 3, the apparatus shown in this view involves the two switches SI and S2 of a crossover, which switches are provided with the usual electropneumatic switch mechanisms Al and A2 having the usual normal, reverse and lock magnets N, R and L, respectively. A circuit controller Q is associated with theswitch Si and a similar circuit controller Q is associated with the other-switch S2. The circuits for the transfer relays and lock magnets are the same as in Fig. 2, except that the circuit controllers Q and Q together .with their associated rectifiers are connected in multiple in these circuits. It follows that the transfer relays and the lock magnets will be energized whenever the lever E and. either one of the switches do not harmonize in position, but that these elements will be deenergized while the lever and the two switches do harmonize in position.

The contacts designated as a whole by the reference character J, are operated by the switch mechanisms, and are for the control of the indicationrelay KR. When the switches are in normal position and the transfer relays are de-energized, the circuit for relay KR is from terminal B, thr.ough normal contact it of one switch, normal contact I I of the other switch, back contact 7, wire G, back contact 6, winding of relay KR, back, contact 8, wire. H, back contact 9, normal contact I2 of the second switch, normal contact l3 ot the first switch, and a resistance 24 to terminal C. When the switches are both in reverse position and the transfer relays are de-energized, the circuit for relay, KR is from terminal B, through reverse contact ll of the first switch, reverse contact I6 of the second switch, back contact 9, wire H, back contact 8, winding of relay KR, back contact 6, wire G, back contact I, reverse contact l5 ofthe second switch, reverse contact I4 of the first switch and resistance 24 to terminal C.

' The operation of the apparatus shown in Fig. 3 will be obvious from the foregoing description of the operation of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2.

in Fig. 2 if the switch mechanism creeps from the normal position while leverE is in the normal position, contact 35 of circuit controller Q will close, thereby energizing the transfer relays and the lock magnet, so that normal magnet N will be energized to restore the switch to its normal position. Similarly, if the switch creeps from its reverseposition while lever E is in the reverse position contact 3-4 will be closed, thereby resulting in energization of magnet Rto restore the switch'mechanism to its reverse position. The same protection is provided'by the apparatus of Fig. 3, in that if either switch mechanism creeps away from the position corresponding to the position occupied by lever E, the transfer relays and lock magnets will become energized to restore the switch mechanism to its proper position.

Referring now to Fig. 4, the apparatus shown in this View is the same as that shown in Fig. 2, except as to the control of the lock magnet L. In Fig. 4 the winding for this magnet is removed from the circuit for the transfer relays Ti and T2 and is controlled by a front contact l8 of relay T2. This does not affect the normal operation of the apparatus except that look magnet L will not become energized until relay T2 has become energized.

In Fig. 4, instead of depending upon circuit controller Q to restore the switch mechanism in the event of creepage, I have provided auxiliary circuits for the lock and operating magnets, and auxiliary contacts 19, 2D and 21! operated by the switch mechanism for the control of these auxiliary circuits. Assuming that the switch creeps from the normal position while the transfer relays are deenergized, lock magnet L will be energized by an auxiliary circuit which includes contact l9 closed in all positions of theswltch mechanism except full normal and full reverse. Normal magnet N will be energized by an auxiliary circuit which includes back contact [8 of relay T2 and. contact 20 which is closed when the switch mechanism has crept a small distance from normal position. Similarly, if the switch creeps from the reverse position while the transfer relays are deenergized, lock magnet L will be energized by the same auxiliary circuit as before while reverse magnet R will be energized by an auxiliary circuit which includes back contact l8 and a contact 2| closed when the switch mechanism has crept a small distance from full reverse position- Referring now to Fig. 5, the apparatus shown in this view involves the two switches SI and S2 of a crossover as in Fig. 3. The control of the transfer relays and of the normal and reverse magnets as well as of the indication relay will be understood from the foregoing explanation of Fig. 3. The control of the lock magnets will be understood from the foregoing explanation of Fig. 4. Fig. 5, therefore, requires no detailed explanation.

The apparatus shown in Fig. 5a is similar to that shown in Fig. 5 with the exception that in -Fig. 5a certain auxiliary circuits are added for the control of each of the two sets of magnets L, N, and R. Contacts i9, 20, and 2! are operated by the mechanism Al for the switch SI, and similar contacts w 20 and 2W are operated by the mechanism A2 for the other switch S2. If either switch creeps from either its normal or its reverse position when transfer relay T2 is deenergized, both switch mechanisms A.-l and A2 will be energized to return the creeping mechanism to its proper position. The auxiliary circuits for the control magnets will be understood from the foregoing description of Fig. 4, without detailed explanation.

One feature of my invention lies in the fact that the two control wires G and H are at times used for the control of the switch and are at other times used for the control of the indication relay KR, thereby minimizing the number of line wires which must beprovided between the switch and its controlling lever.

Although I have herein shown and described only-five forms of apparatus embodying my invention, it is understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what claim is: l

1. In combination, a railway switch; an operating mechanism for said switch having a lock magnet, a normal magnet and a reverse magnet; a control lever for said switch, an indication relay associated with said lever, a normal and a reverse control wire extending from said lever to said switch, two transfer relays one at said lever and the other at said switch, two contacts operatedby said switch mechanism the first of which is closed in all positions of the mechanism except normal and the second of which is closed in all positions of the mechanism except reverse, a circuit including said transfer. relays and said lock magnet all in series, means for supplying current of normal or reverse polarity to said circuit according as said lever is in normal or reverse position, saidcircuit having two branches at the switch one including the first mechanism contact and a rectifier poled to conduct current of normal polarity and the other including the second mech-' anism contact and a rectifier poled to conduct current of reverse polarity, a normal control circuit including said normal magnet and a front contact of each transfer relay and a normal lever contact as well assaid normal control wire all in series, a reverse control circuit including said reverse magnet anda front contact of each transfer relay and a reverse lever contact as well as said reverse control wire all in series, an indication circuit including said indication relay and back contacts of said transfer relays as Well as said two control wires, and means for supplying current of normal or reverse polarity to said indication circuit according as said switch mechanism is in normal or reverse position.

2. In combination, a railway switch; an operating mechanism for said switch having a lock magnet, a normal magnet and a reverse magnet; a control lever for said switch, an indication relay associated with said lever, a normal and a reverse control wire extending from said lever to said switch, two transfer relays one at said lever and the other at said switch, two contacts operated by said switch mechanism the first of which is closed in all positions of the mechanism except normal and the second of which is closed in all positions of the mechanism except reverse, a circuit including said transfer relays connected in series and having two branches at the switch one including the first mechanism contact and a rectifier poled to conduct current of normal polarity and the other including the second mechanism contact and a rectifier poled to conduct current of reverse polarity, means for supplying current of normal or reverse polarity to said circuit according as said lever is in normal or reverse position, a normal control circuit including said normal magnet and a front contact of each transfer relay and a normal lever contact as well as said normal control wire all in series, a reverse control circuit including said reverse magnet and a front contact of each transfer relay and a reverse lever contact as well as said reverse control wire all in series, a circuit for said lock magnet including a front contact of the transfer relay at the switch, an indication circuit including said indication relay and back contacts of said transfer relays as well as said two control wires, and means for supplying current of normal or reverse polarity to said indication circult according as said switch mechanism is in normal or reverse position. a

3. In combination, a railway switch; an operating mechanism for said switch having a lock magnet, a normal magnet and a reverse magnet; a control lever for said switch, an indication relay associated with said lever, a normal and a reverse control wire extending from said lever to said switch, two transfer relays one at said lever and the other at said switch, two contacts operated by said switch mechanism the first of which is closed in all positions of the mechanism except normal and the second of which is closed in all positions of the mechanism except reverse, a circuit including said transfer relays connected in series and having two branches at the switch one including the first mechanism contact and a rectifier poled to conduct current of normal polarity and the other including the second mechanism contact and a rectifier poled to conduct current of reverse polarity, means for supplying current of normal or reverse polarity to said circuit according as said lever is in normal or reverse position,- a normal control circuit including said normal magnet and a front contact of each transfer relay and a normal lever contact as well as saidnormal control wire all in series, a reverse control circuit including said reverse magnet and a front contact of each transfer relay and a'reverse lever contact as well as said reverse control wire all in series, a circuit for said lock magnet including a front contact of the transfer relay at the switch, an auxiliary circuit for said normal magnet including a back contact of the transfer relay at the switch as well as a contact closed when said mechanism has crept a short distance from itsv normal position, an auxiliary circuit for saidlreverse magnet including a back contact of the transfer relay at the switch and a contact closed when said mechanism has crept a short distance from its reverse position, an auxiliary circuit for said lock magnet including a contact closed when the switch mechanism is in all positions except its full'normal and full reverse positions, an indication circuit including said indication relay and back contacts of said transfer relays as well as said two control wires, and means for supplying current of normal or reverse polarity to said indication circuit according as said switch mechanism and the other at said crossover, two contacts operated by each switch mechanism the first of which is closed in all positions of the mechanism except normal, and the second of which is closed in all positions of the mechanism except reverse, a circuit including said transfer relays and said lock magnets all in series, said circuit having two paths in multiple at the crossover one associated with each mechanism, each path having two branches one including the first contact of the associated mechanism and a rectifier poled to conduct current of normal polarity and the other branch including the second contact of the associated mechanism and a rectifier poled to conduct current of reverse polarity, means for supplying current of normal or reverse polarity to said circuit according as said lever is in normal or reverse position, a normal control circuit including said normal magnets and a front contact of each transfer relay and a normal lever contact as well as said normal control wire all in series, a reverse control circuit including said reverse magnets and a front contact of each transfer relay and a reverse lever contact as well as said reverse control wire all in series, an indication circuit including said indication relay and back contacts of said transfer relays as well as said two control wires, and means for supplying current of normal or reverse polarity to said indication circuit according as both switch mechanisms are in normal position or in reverse position.

5. In combination, a railway crossover comprising two switches; operating mechanisms for said switches each having a lock magnet, a normal magnet and a reverse magnet; a control lever for said crossover, an indication relay associated with said lever, a normal and a reverse control wire extending from said lever to said crossover, two transfer relays one at said lever and the other at said crossover, two contacts op erated by each switch mechanism the first of which is closed in all positions of the mechanism except normal, and the second of which is closed in all positions of the mechanism except reverse, a circuit including said transfer relays in series, said circuit having two multiple paths at the crossover one associated with each mechanism, each path having two branches one including the first contact of the associated mechanism and a rectifier poled to conduct current of normal polarity and the other including the second contact of the associated mechanism and a rectifier poled to conduct current of reverse polarity, means f or supplying current of normal or reverse polarity to said circuit according as said lever is in normal or reverse position, a normal control circuit in cluding said normal magnets and a front contact of each transfer relay and a normal lever contact as Well as said normal control wire all in series, a reverse control circuit including said reverse magnets and a front contact of each transfer relay and a reverse lever contact as well as said reverse control wire all'in series, a circuit for said lock magnets including a front contact of the transfer relay at the crossover, an indication circuit including said indication relay and back contacts of said transfer relays as well as said two control wires, and means for supplying current of normal or reverse polarity to said indication circuit according as both switch mechanisms are in normal or in reverse position.

6. In combination, a railway crossover comprising two switches; operating mechanisms for said switches each having a lock magnet, a normal magnet and a reverse magnet; a control lever for said crossover, an indication relay associated with said lever, a normal and a reverse control wire extending from said lever to said crossover, two transfer relays one at said lever and the other at said crossover, two contacts operated by each switch mechanism the first of which is closed in all positions of the mechanism except normal, and the second of which is closed in all positions of the mechanism except reverse, a circuit including said transfer relays in series, said circuit having two multiple paths at the crossover one associated with each mechanism, each path having two branches one including the first contact of the associated mechanism and a rectifier poled to conduct current of normal polarity and the other including the second contact of the associated mechanism and a rectifier poled to conduct current of reverse polarity, means for supplying current of normal or reverse polarity to said circuit according as said lever is in normal or reverse position, a normal control circuit including said normal magnets and a front contact of each transfer relay and a normal lever contact as well as said normal control wire all in series, a. reverse control circuit including said reverse magnets and a front contact of each transfer relay and a reverse lever contact as well as said reverse control wire all in series, a circuit for said lock magnets including a front contact of the transfer relay at the crossover, an auxiliary circuit for said normal magnets including a back contact of the transfer relay at the crossover and a contact closed when one of said mechanisms has crept a short distance from the normal position, an auxiliary circuit for said reverse magnets including a back contact of the transfer relay at the crossover and a contact closed when one of said mechanisms has crept a short distance from the reverse position, an auxiliary circuit for said lock magnets including a contact closed when one of said mechanisms is in any position except its normal or reverse position, an indication circuit including said indication relay and back contacts of said transfer relays as well as said two control wires, and means for supplying current of normal or reverse polarity to said indication circuit according as both switch mechanisms are in normal orin reverse position.

7. In combination, a railway switch, a mechanism for operating said switch, a lever having contacts for controlling said mechanism, an indication device associated with said lever, indication controlling means associated with said switch, control wires extending from said lever to said switch, a transfer relay for connecting said control wires with said lever contacts or with said indication device according as the relay is energized or deenergized, a second transfer relay for connecting said wires with said switch mechanism or with said indication controlling means according as the relay is energized or deenergized, and means for energizing said transfer relays when said lever and switch do not harmonize in position but not when they do harmonize.

8. In combination, a railway switch, a mechanism for operating said switch, a lever having contacts for controlling said mechanism, an indication device associated with said lever, indication controlling means associated with said switch, control wires extending from said lever to said switch, and means operating to' connect said wires with said indication device and said indication controlling means, or with said lever contacts and said switch mechanism, according as said lever and said mechanism do or do not harmonize in position.

9. In combination, a railway switch, an electropneumatic operating mechanism for said switch having normal, reverse and lock magnets, a control lever having contacts for the control of said mechanism, an indication relay associated with said lever, indication controlling means associated with said mechanism, two control wires extending from said lever to said switch, two transfer relays one at said lever and the other at said switch, means for energizing or deenergizing said transfer relays and said lock magnet according as said lever and said switch do not harmonize or do harmonize in position, means for connecting said wires with said lever contacts or with said indication relay according as said lever transfer relay is energized or deenergized, and means for connecting said wires with said normal and reverse magnets respectively or with said indication controlling means according as said switch transfer relay is energized or deenergized.

10. In combination, a railway switch, an electropneumatic operating mechanism for said switch having normal, reverse and lock magnets, a control lever having contacts for the control of said mechanism, an indication relay associated with said lever, indication controlling means associated with said mechanism, two control wires extending from said leveri, to said switch, two transfer relays one at said lever and the other at said switch, means for energizing or deenergizing said transfer relays according as said lever and said switch do not or do harmonize in position, means for energizing said lock magnet when said switch transfer relay is energized, means for connecting said wires with said lever contacts or with said indication relay according as said lever transfer relay is energized or deenergized, and means for connecting said wires with said normal and reverse magnets respectively or with said indication controlling means according as said switch transfer relay is energized or deenergized.

11. In combination, a railway switch, an electropneumatic operating mechanism for said switch having normal, reverse and lock magnets, a control lever having contacts for the control of said mechanism, an indication relay associated with said lever, indication controlling means associated with said mechanism, two control Wires extending from said lever to said switch, means for connecting said wires with said indication relay or with said lever contacts according as said lever and said switch do or do not harmonize in position, means for connecting said wires with said indication controlling means or with said normal and reverse magnets respectively according as said switch and lever do or do not harmonize in position, and means for energizing said lock magnet when and only when said switch and lever do not harmonize in position.

12. In combination, a railway switch, an electropneumatic operating mechanism for said switch having normal and reverse magnets, a control lever having contacts for the control of said mechanism, an indication relay associated with said lever, indication controlling means associated with said mechanism, two control wires extending from said lever to said switch, a transfer relay associated with said lever and operating to' connect said wires with said lever contacts or with said indication relay according as the transfer relay is energized or deenergized, a transfer relay associated with said switch, and operating to connect said wires with said normal and reverse magnets respectively or with said indication controlling means according as the transfer relay is energized or deenergized, and means for energizing said transfer relays when said lever and said mechanism do not harmonize in position but not when they do harmonize.

13. In combination, a railway switch, an electropneumatic operating mechanism for said switch having normal and reverse magnets, a control lever having contacts for the control of said mechanism, an indication relay associated with said lever, indication controlling means associated with said mechanism, two control wires extending from said lever to said switch, means for connecting said wires with said indication relay or with said lever contacts according as said lever and said mechanism harmonize or do not harmonize in position, and means for connecting said wires with said indication controlling means or with said normal and reverse magnets respectively according as said switch and said mechanism harmonize or do not harmonize in position.

14. In combination, a railway crossover comprising two switches, an operating mechanism for each switch, a lever having contacts for controlling said mechanism, an indication device associated with said lever, indication controlling means associated with each switch, control wires extending from said lever to said crossover, a transfer relay for connecting said control wires with said lever contacts or with said indication device according as the relay is energized or deenergized, a second transfer relay for connecting said wires with said switch mechanisms or with said indication controlling means according as the relay is energized or deenergized, and means for energizing said transfer relays when said lever and said switch mechanisms do not harmonize in position but not when they do harmonize.

15. In combination, a railway crossover comprising two switches, an operating mechanism for each switch, a lever having contacts for controlling said mechanisms, an indication device associated with said lever, indication controlling means associated with each switch, control wires extending from said lever to said crossover, means for connecting said wires with said indication device or with said lever contacts according as said lever and said mechanisms all harmonize in position or do not harmonize in position, and means for connecting said wires with said indication controlling means or with said operating mechanisms according as the lever and the mechanisms all harmonize in position or do not harmonize in position.

16. In combination, a railway switch, a mechanism for operating said switch, a lever having contacts for controlling said mechanism, an indication device associated with said lever, indication controlling means associated with said switch, a control wire extending from said lever to said switch, a transfer relay for connecting said control wire with one of said lever contacts or with said indication device according as the relay is energized or deenergized, a second transfer relay for connecting said wire with said switch mechanism or with said indication controlling means according as the relay is energized or deenergized, and means for energizing said transfer relays when said lever and said switch do not harmonize in position but not when they do harmonize.

17. In combination, a railway switch, a mechanism for operating said switch, a lever having contacts for controlling said mechanism, an indication device associated with said lever, indication controlling means associated with said switch, a control wire extending from. said lever to said switch, and means operating to connect said wire with said indication device and with said indication controlling means or with one of said lever contacts and said switch mechanism according as said lever and said mechanism do or do not harmonize in position.

CHARLES W. BELL. 

